The scene is set for a thrilling meeting as Cruz Azul welcomes the Seattle Sounders to the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16. With a stalemate in Seattle, both teams are ready to shatter the tie and make it to the quarterfinals. Cruz Azul, led by Vicente Sánchez, hopes to take advantage of home support despite recent attacking woes. Conversely, Brian Schmetzer's Seattle Sounders are on a high note, powered by an overwhelming league victory. Having everything to play for, the game promises to be a thrilling affair.
Claim Welcome BonusCruz Azul Preview
Cruz Azul enters this final match with a spotty recent record of results. Their previous match resulted in a 1-1 tie with Monterrey, with José Rivero scoring. The team dominated possession with 52%, had five corners, and had 18 shots on target. Discipline issues intruded with ten fouls, a yellow card, and a red card spoiling their effort. To look forward, their possible target for anticipated (xG) of their next match is 1.61, showing possible attacking quality. Lacking in their lineup will be injured Mateo Levy, so they will be dealing with additional headaches. They recently played out WWWDDD, showing determination but for more straightforward victories. For the sake of strategy and tactics, they are commanded by Vicente Sánchez. Of most interest is goalkeeper Kevin Mier, who boasts 14 clean sheets in 33 matches, a reflection of his reliability between the posts. Even with their defense, Cruz Azul's failure to convert chances into goals is an issue of urgency.
Seattle Sounders Preview
The Seattle Sounders enter this game with the momentum on their side. They had just trounced Los Angeles FC with a 5-2 victory, showcasing a deep attacking capability. Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, Paul Rothrock, Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldán, and Albert Rusnak's tallies showed their depth in attack. The team enjoyed possession by 59%, recorded nine corners, and attempted 14 shots on target, while maintaining their discipline with only nine fouls and no yellow cards. Their projected goals (xG) in the next game is 1.26, which indicates an even-style attacking. The loss of Pedro De La Vega and Reed Baker-Whiting is an issue, but the squad depth gives confidence. Their recent form shows DWLDW, which indicates a team capable of coming back and scoring from chances created. With the sharp managerial expertise of veteran Brian Schmetzer, the Sounders have earned their reputation as being tactical in adapting. Skipper Jordan Morris is one of those, with three goals in six matches displaying his prowess in scoring the winning goal. Recent performances by the Sounders reflect a unified team, ready to face any opposition.
Head to Head
The previous meetings between Cruz Azul and Seattle Sounders have been few but telling. Cruz Azul have won one and drawn the other in their recent two meetings. Their previous meeting on March 6, 2025, in the first leg of this Round of 16 match was 0-0 at Lumen Field. This outcome leaves the tie on a knife edge, with both teams knowing that a single goal may be the decisive factor. The stalemate highlights the defensive prowess of both teams and promises a war of tactics in the return fixture. Cruz Azul will seek to utilize their advantage of home form, while the Sounders are aware that a goal away will swing the tie back in their direction. The previous confrontations signal an intense battle with both sides unwilling to give up any terrain without a fight.
History of Head-to-Heads
CONCACAF Champions Cup 2025
Seattle Sounders FC
CONCACAF Champions Cup 2025
Cruz Azul
Cruz Azul Latest Games
Cruz Azul
Tigres
Cruz Azul
CF America
Cruz Azul
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC Latest Games
Seattle Sounders FC
FC Dallas
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC
St. Louis City
Expert Betting Tips
Under 2.5 Goals (1.9 Odds on 1xbet): Due to the defensive solidity that the two teams have displayed, a match with under 2.5 goals is a valid expectation.
Both Teams to Score - Yes (2.0 Odds on Betway): Since both teams have demonstrated attacking prowess in previous matches, there are high chances that both teams will score.
Correct Score 1-1 (6.5 Odds on Bet365): A very close game may have both teams scoring once and resulting in a 1-1 score.
Other predictions
